Chapter 10 Homework

Chapter 10, Section 1

1. What is the basis of the economies of many Latin American countries?

Answer:

The basis of many Latin American economies is agricultural goods, such as bananas, sugarcane, and coffee

2. What are the causes and consequences of Latin America’s economically dependent status?

Answer:

A cause of being economically dependant is focusing all efforts on growing, or producing, one thing.  With all of the support, that one product becomes mass produced and distributed at a rapid rate, making lots of money for all that contributed.
A consequence of being economically dependant is when one part of the economy is damaged, the whole thing crashes because each part is so dependant on the other.

Creative Writing: Write a paragraph that describes the advantages and disadvantages of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) for Mexico.

Answer:

Some advantages of NAFTA for Mexico are more exports from Mexico, investment with international countries, and new jobs.

Some disadvantages of the NAFTA for Mexico are that the poor never are affected by NAFTA benefits.

Chapter 10, Section 2

1. How has development affected Latin America’s forest resources?

Answer:

The development of farms and city areas has caused the depletion of forest resources.  Farms practice slash-and burn farming techniques which kill huge parts of forest for one or two years of fertile soil.  City development has lead to forests being cut down for space and materials.  The depletion of forests affects the whole ecosystem, leading to the death of species found nowhere else.

2. What challenges are posed by the growth of Latin America’s urban population?

Answer:

growth of urban population has resulted in pollution and chemical and pesticide runoff into water, soil, and air.  These pollutants can damage and even kill plants, animals, and humans.

Creative Writing: The countries of Latin America are facing many challenges of regional and international significance. Write a paragraph that describes at least two of these issues and how these might have an impact outside of the region

Answer:

One border dispute of Latin America is the petroleum ownerships along the border of Venezuela and Guyana.  The petroleum mines exist right in the middle of their shared border, and both countries want the benefits.  Depending on who wins, the price of petroleum and the quality may increase or decrease when it is being sold to other countries.

A regional problem that Latin America faces is its unpredictable weather.  Over the years, hurricanes have hit and devastated the land, floods have destroyed cities, and volcanic eruptions have shattered whole islands.  If a disaster strikes Latin America's resources or cities, Latin America's inhabitants would not be able to export their goods, causing every country that it trades with to come to a stand still, lacking the goods from Latin America.